NFL Picks Week 10: Struggling Squads That Will Earn Recovery Wins

On Sunday, Nov. 10, the 2013 NFL regular season will resume with 13 games featuring 26 teams. The Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots and New York Jets are all on bye, but countless other postseason contenders are in action.

The question is, which struggling squads will recover during Week 10 with front-runners off and the window of opportunity closing?

Date

Road Team

Prediction

Home Team

Odds (via Bovada)

Thursday, Nov. 7

Washington Redskins (27)

31-23

Minnesota Vikings (34)

N/A

Sunday, Nov. 10

Seattle Seahawks

28-17

Atlanta Falcons

Seahawks (-6)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Detroit Lions

27-31

Chicago Bears

Even

Sunday, Nov. 10

Cincinnati Bengals

27-20

Baltimore Ravens

Bengals (-1)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Philadelphia Eagles

28-23

Green Bay Packers

Packers (-1)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Jacksonville Jaguars

13-24

Tennessee Titans

Titans (-13)

Sunday, Nov. 10

St. Louis Rams

14-27

Indianapolis Colts

Colts (-10)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Oakland Raiders

24-28

New York Giants

Giants (-7.5)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Buffalo Bills

20-21

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers (-3)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Carolina Panthers

16-21

San Francisco 49ers

49ers (-6)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Houston Texans

20-23

Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals (-3)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Denver Broncos

35-27

San Diego Chargers

Broncos (-7)

Sunday, Nov. 10

Dallas Cowboys

35-42

New Orleans Saints

Saints (-7)

Monday, Nov. 11

Miami Dolphins

24-16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dolphins (-3)

Week 9: 6-7, Season: 75-44

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8) at Tennessee Titans (4-4)

Michael Thomas/Getty Images

Date: Sunday, Nov. 10

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Prediction: 24-13, Titans

The Tennessee Titans enter Week 10 at 4-4 with just two games separating them from the first-place Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars are 0-8 and are one win away from their fourth consecutive losing season.

There shouldn't be much of a question about this one.

The Titans took a step toward recovery during Week 9, defeating the St. Louis Rams 28-21. Chris Johnson erupted with 150 rushing yards, and the defense played the pass well, as the Titans responded to three straight losses with a big win.

Unfortunately, the Titans still aren't above .500.

In a crowded AFC, Tennessee can't afford to lose ground at any point from hereon out. The 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs and 7-1 Denver Broncos are in the same division, which means that one wild-card spot is all but locked up, and four other contenders are at 4-4 or better.

Tennessee will respond to the pressure with a win behind a big performance by Jake Locker and another 100-yard game by CJ2K.

Buffalo Bills (3-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Date: Sunday, Nov. 10

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Prediction: 21-20, Steelers

The Buffalo Bills are 3-6 with a stingy defense, an explosive rushing offense and questions at quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-6 with a physical defense, an inconsistent running game and an elite field general.

Unfortunately for Buffalo, this game will be decided by quarterback play.

Both defenses are ready to dominate any opponent, even if there have been some moments of weakness. Buffalo has one of the game's best pass-rushers in Mario Williams, while Pittsburgh has been strong with a few exceptions.

In the end, it'll come down to Buffalo's shaky passing game going toe-to-toe with the NFL's No. 4 passing defense.

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson will make things interesting, but Roethlisberger will keep Pittsburgh on the field. Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery and Heath Miller are all emerging as reliable threats, and that will give Buffalo trouble.

The score will be low, but come the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger will take over and give Pittsburgh the win.

Houston Texans (2-6) at Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Date: Sunday, Nov. 10

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Prediction: 23-20, Cardinals

The Houston Texans are a better team than the 2-6 record displays, owning one-possession losses to the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts. Houston has also lost six consecutive games entering Week 10.

Which team will win?

Houston TexansArizona CardinalsSubmit Votevote to see results

Which team will win?

Houston Texans

43.0%

Arizona Cardinals

57.0%

Total votes: 544

I'm inclined to side with the Texans in this game, but Arizona is better than it gets credit for.

The Cardinals are 4-4 overall and 3-1 at home, owning impressive wins over the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions. The Texans have the perfect storm to escape with a win, most notably a dominant pass defense, but Arizona needs a win to garner respect.

Coming off a bye week, that's exactly what Arizona will earn.

With the No. 4 run defense in the NFL, Arizona has enough to slow down Houston's ground-and-pound. The pass defense hasn't been playing well, but when Patrick Peterson is the No. 1 corner, a turnover could occur at any moment.

It'll be a tough one, but Arizona will send a message with a big win to move to 5-4.